The funeral of the vastly respected musician C Brian Buckley will be held on Wednesday 26th February at Margam Crematorium neat Port Talbot (SA13 2NR) at 12 noon. It will be followed by a reception at Margam Park Orangery.
Significant figure
It will mark the passing of a significant figure in the Welsh, as well as UK banding movement. He passed away aged 91 on the 25th January.
C Brian Buckley's fledgling musical talent was nurtured through his musical family and especially by his father, Con Buckley, a former solo trombonist and then conductor of Tredegar Workingmens Band. He proudly retained the C (for Charles), as an affection link to his father under whom he made his contest debut as a cornet player with Tredegar, aged 9, in a local park contest adjudicated by the great T J Powell.
Well done
He later recalled the pride he felt, not just with playing under his father's baton on 'The Crusaders', but that he later told him "Well done". It was the start of a connection to Tredegar Band that lasted until his death.
Over next few years he developed into one of the most sought-after young cornet players in Wales — numerous solo awards supplemented by a growing reputation as a trumpet player. He was an acclaimed performer in numerous productions of 'Messiah' and was regularly asked to play in orchestras.
Principal cornet
For 25 years he was principal cornet of Tredegar — part of a band that under his father enjoyed considerable domestic success, including promotion to the Championship Section and a memorable victory at the 1962 National Eisteddfod.
In 1964 the band qualified for the Royal Albert Hall National Finals, where they were drawn number 1 on 'Variations on a Ninth'. He later recalled that his father said it was the culmination of his conducting career, and that he was proud to have shared it with him.
During this period, he made many life-long friendships with the likes of John Childs, who played solo euphonium, and who was to eventually take the baton at Tredegar in 1970, and Alywn Powell. He proudly accepted the role of President of Tredegar Band in 2017, to mark a family connection to the organisation that tracked back over a century.
Professional career
Academically gifted, his professional career took him into the water industry as a Chartered Scientist of international standing. His professional credentials of EurChem. C.Sci. C.Chem. C.Env. FRSC. FCIWEM were supplemented by his musical ones of FTCL. LTCL and ALCM.
Conductor
C Brian Buckley began his conducting career further down the Welsh valleys with the emerging Rogerstone Band near Newport in 1969.
He immediately revitalised the band and led them to the Second Section National Championship of Great Britain title in 1971, following in his father's footsteps by conducting at the Albert Hall National Final the following year.
The Championship Section Welsh Area title followed in 1973, before he left to spearhead the emergence of the Hymac (Rhymney) Band. Once again, he revitalised a contesting approach, winning the Welsh Area Third Section title in 1976 and Second Section title the following year to become a hugely respected top section force in Welsh banding, and coming fifth at the Grand Shield in 1982.
Commitment
With its demise following loss of sponsorship, his commitment to Welsh banding was maintained with the likes of Pontardulais — leading them to the Welsh Second Section Area title in 1987 and Pontins First Section title in 2000 amongst others.
He also conducted Lewis Merthyr, Pontypool, Rogerstone and Tongwynlais Temperance — leading them to the Welsh First Section Area title in 1992 — 32 years after that first National success with Rogerstone.
He also led Markham & District and Upper Rhondda Brass before his final contest appearance with Gwaun Cae Gurwen Band in 2012.
Hugely respected
His success and influence as a hugely respected conductor and band trainer was not contained within Wales.
For many years he enjoyed considerable success with Torbay Brass, leading them to local and National success in winning the Second Section National title in 1993, as well as working with the likes of Sherborne, Pillowell, Yeovil and St Keverne.
His success and influence as a hugely respected conductor and band trainer was not contained within Wales4BR
Adjudicator
His immense contribution to the banding movement also saw him become an insightful and highly respected adjudicator at over 200 competitions at all levels.
He was to become a leading figure in the Association of Brass Band Adjudicators where he led the creation of what was to become its Continual Professional Development training programme.
In later years he brought his insight and huge experience to the Kapitol Music Panel — his fine musical knowledge, especially of the demands and ambitions of bands at the foundation levels of the contesting movement taken fully into account in his considerations in choosing works.
Family
In later life he continued to enjoy his music — taking huge pride in his own son's professional orchestral musical career and that of his daughter. With his loving wife Pam they were regular attendees at orchestral concerts and at brass band events.
On his many visits back to Tredegar he was an influential figure of advice to MD, Ian Porthouse.
Serious content
When asked in an interview for the professional Chartered Scientist Journal about his working approach he said: "Very simple — you conduct yourself in a manner that allows people to see clearly that whatever you say has serious content. If you do this, people will regard your presence and your contribution as being reliable and being thoroughly thought through."
It was an approach that also defined him as a musician of the highest calibre.
Funeral:
Wednesday 26th February
Margam Crematorium, Longlands Lane, Margam, Port Talbot SA13 2NR at 12 Noon.
Family flowers only please. Donations if so desired to Tredegar Town Band Society c/o D.G. Attwell Funeral Directors 95 Eaton Road, Brynhyfryd, Swansea SA5 9JH.
